Life is constantly changing, and experiences are shaping us throughout our lives. The good experiences, the bad, and everything in between impact our daily lives, sometimes even changing the course. So, it should come as no surprise that experiencing trauma can leave deep wounds, significantly impacting a person’s life in the worst ways. Whether the trauma stems from a single tragic event or prolonged exposure to traumatic circumstances, it can disrupt essentially everything in a person’s life. For some, these experiences can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition that affects the individual long after the danger or experience has passed. Impacting everything from relationships to daily function, PTSD is a serious, life-changing condition.
The amazing news is, although close to 7% of all Americans will have PTSD in their lifetime, advances in treatment have made healing more possible than ever before. Not only attainable, professional treatment is more accessible with the option of secure online therapy. For many, the idea of leaving the comfort of their home or disrupting things like school and work is no longer an obstacle to seeking and receiving support. In this guide, we will learn about trauma, how it can lead to PTSD, and the statistics surrounding this condition. More importantly, readers will learn how online therapy can help and what to expect if they choose to embark on this healing journey. First, we’ll dig into trauma, what it is, and how it can lead to PTSD.
Trauma and PTSD
Although trauma can lead to PTSD, they are not the same thing. Trauma is a response, both emotional and physiological, to an event (or series of events) that prevents a person’s ability to cope with the situation. Trauma experiences often leave a person feeling hopeless, scared, and unsafe. Common causes of trauma include:
- Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional)
- Childhood neglect/abuse
- Domestic violence events
- Military service/combat
- First responder careers (Police, EMT, Firefighting)
- Serious accidents
- Natural disasters
- Sudden death of a loved one
- Community violence
The reality is that if we experience enough of life, we will all be exposed to a traumatic event at some point. However, not everyone who goes through a traumatic experience will develop PTSD.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing, or even witnessing, a traumatic event. When the brain enters a state of heightened alert and remains there rather than fading, a person can experience symptoms for months or even years, interfering with every aspect of their life. Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Intrusive thoughts, memories, and flashbacks
- Interrupted sleep and nightmares
- Avoidance of behaviors, people, or places that remind them of a traumatic event
- Feeling “jumpy” or uneasy, constantly on guard
- Extreme anxiety, panic attacks
- Extreme anger or irritability
- Trouble concentrating
- Feelings of shame, guilt, or even feeling no emotions at all
Like all mental health conditions, PTSD is a recognized medical condition that is considered “normal” when a person is exposed to abnormal circumstances. Contrary to how it makes a person feel, PTSD is not a sign of weakness, and many Americans of every age battle with it every year.
How Common Is PTSD?
Unfortunately, trauma is a universal human experience. Most Americans will experience at least one, if not multiple, traumatic events over their lifetimes, with research suggesting at least 70% of all adults report at least one traumatic event in their lives. While many people can overcome these traumatic experiences, millions will develop PTSD. Of the nearly 7% of Americans who experience PTSD at some point in their lives, the numbers vary by group. Some estimates include:
- Women are two times as likely to develop PTSD, with an average of 8% of women developing PTSD.
- An average rate of 4% of men experience PTSD.
- Children (including teens) are at a 5% to 20% risk of experiencing PTSD before reaching adulthood. Some studies even suggest one in four children who experience trauma will develop PTSD, which is a 25% chance!
With close to 13 million American adults who have PTSD every year, these statistics remind us that PTSD is not rare, and neither is the need for supportive, compassionate care. Silently carrying wounds to work, school, family events, and even to bed, PTSD can make it extremely difficult for a person to navigate a healthy, happy life. Fortunately, effective treatments are available, and today, with modern technology, treatment is widely accessible.
Why Online Therapy Is an Important Option
Traditionally, seeking help and receiving therapy meant scheduling appointments and traveling to an office where a counselor meets with an individual in person. While in-person therapy remains a viable option, technology has expanded access to quality mental health care, making trauma therapy available regardless of location or schedule.
Today, the option of online therapy offers convenience, confidentiality, and compassionate support from licensed professionals who specialize in trauma, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. Using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, individuals can meet with a mental health care specialist via video sessions. This option is especially meaningful and beneficial for those living with PTSD. Oftentimes, these individuals avoid treatment because just the act of leaving home can be overwhelming. Others may struggle with work schedules, transportation issues, childcare challenges, or simply live too far from providers.
Regardless of the obstacle, online counseling makes therapeutic support possible and more accessible than ever before. For many, the option of beginning trauma therapy from the comfort of their own home reduces anxiety and makes it easier to take this most critical first step toward healing.
How Online Trauma Therapy Helps
There is a misconception about healing from trauma that true healing means forgetting, which could not be further from the truth. Therapy is not about teaching how to forget, but rather, how to process the difficult experience in a way that reduces symptoms while regaining a sense of safety. Instead of focusing on burying the trauma, online therapy focuses on:
- Understanding how it is affecting the brain and body.
- Identifying the triggers of symptoms.
- Learning healthy coping skills.
- Developing ways to reduce intrusive thoughts and/or flashbacks.
- Improving sleep and emotional regulation.
- Building healthy relationships and good communication.
- Replacing shame and blame with compassion.
- Building confidence and a bright future.
Therapists and counselors use evidence-based therapies to achieve these goals and help individuals recover from trauma experiences and PTSD. Therapy approaches may include:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Mindfulness-based Interventions (meditation, deep breathing, grounding)
At our counseling center, online trauma therapy in Layton includes the use of:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
At the end of the day, treatment is always individualized to each person and their experience(s). Trauma is unique, and treatment must be tailored for each individual’s healing journey.
What to Expect from Online Therapy for PTSD
Starting therapy can be nerve-racking, intimidating, and even scary. But for those beginning their healing journey, the first step to healing is the bravest, most empowering one to take. While many are afraid of reliving the past, trauma therapy rarely begins that way. Here is what the process typically looks like:
Assessment: The first step is to pick up the phone and make an appointment. At this time, the counseling center will take the time to answer questions, schedule the first counseling session, and explain the online process.
First Appointment: At the first appointment, joining the session is as easy as clicking a link from any space where you feel comfortable. Your therapist will take the time to understand your symptoms and your goals in a safe, judgment-free space. At this time, your healthcare provider will provide a tailored plan to meet individual needs.
Personalized Treatment: After completing the initial assessment, the therapist will understand your current goals and tailor a treatment plan to your needs. These plans can be built around work, school, or other responsibilities. By incorporating evidence-based therapies and personal discussions to talk through challenges and emotions, counselors will help individuals process specific memories and develop coping skills along the way.
Therapy is meant for healing and growth, not to make a person feel unsafe or uncomfortable. For this reason, professionals will move at a pace that makes a person feel most safe, developing trust and a sense of compassion tailored to each patient.
Moving Forward Toward Hope and Healing
Traumatic experiences have a way of robbing people of their sense of peace and security, producing feelings of fear and overwhelm. It can feel isolating, scary, and unbearable, but it does not have to define you or rob you of your future. The reality is, millions of Americans of every age struggle with symptoms of PTSD every year, but help is available, and healing happens every day. With online trauma therapy, many people heal by learning to manage their symptoms, rather than trying to pretend they don’t exist. With the right support, flexible scheduling, and evidence-based therapies, online treatment provides a safe, secure environment for individuals to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and discover the joy of everyday life without past traumas haunting their minds. Whether struggling with a recent trauma or years of trying to bury it, seeking help is the only way to move forward toward hope and healing.